Chocolate Holiday Bears Food

PRETZEL POLAR BEARS

Steps:

• Place coconut in a shallow bowl. Pour melted chocolate into 1 end of an 11x7-in. dish. Roll two-thirds of a pretzel rod in chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until chocolate just begins to lose its sheen. Repeat with remaining pretzels. Sprinkle coated pretzels with coconut, patting to help adhere., Decorate as desired, using some of the melted chocolate to attach candy coating disks to make faces, halved mini marshmallows or white chips to make ears, and mini chocolate chips, sprinkles and Sixlets to make eyes and noses., Carefully stand bears upright in a tall glass or press the bottoms of the pretzel rods into holes cut into a 2-in.-thick piece of Styrofoam. If desired, cut fruit rolls into thin strips to make scarves; tie around bears. Let stand until set.

CHOCOLATE HOLIDAY BEARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F Beat butter, sugar, dry pudding mix, and egg in large bowl with mixer until blended. Mix remaining ingredients. Gradually add to pudding mixture, beating well after each addition. Shape into ball. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Place dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper; roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with 4-inch bear-shaped cookie cutter. Place, 2-inches apart on greased baking sheets. Reroll scraps and use to cut additional cookies.
• Bake 12-14 minutes or until slightly firm. Let stand on baking sheets 3 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• Special extras: Decorate cookies with miniature marshmallows, small candies, nuts and/or sprinkles, using semi-sweet chocolate for the glue.